Canadian running back Andrew Harris has signed on for one final professional season as a member of the Toronto Argonauts, but he already knows what he will be doing after retirement.
Hours after 3DownNation reported that Harris would be re-signing with the Argos, the Vancouver Island Raiders announced they had signed the future Hall of Famer to a five-year contract as their head of football operations, with plans for him to take over as head coach in 2024.
Harris began his career as a player with the Raiders, winning three Canadian Junior Football League national championships. He set numerous rushing records in the British Columbia Football Conference, before joining the B.C. Lions as a territorial exemption.
“My five years in Nanaimo as a young player were pivotal for my training and football career, I want to take this passion that I have for the sport and build something great for these young up-and-coming players and of course, win some championships,” Harris said in a statement.
The Winnipeg native will oversee all aspects of the club’s football operations beginning immediately, including player recruitment, coaching and marketing. He will appoint an interim head coach for next season and work closely with them to set a new path for the junior team that finished 1-9 last season.
“Andrew has been a proven winner throughout his career and it is anticipated that he will continue to be so in his new role,” club president Kabel Atwall said in a statement. “Andrew will be a great ambassador for the team, he will have a great rapport with players, coaches, recruits, board members and our treasured fans.”
The 35-year-old running back has played 12 seasons in the CFL with the Lions, Blue Bombers, and Argonauts, winning four Grey Cup championships — including the last three straight. The six-time All-Star is the only Canadian player to rush for more than 10,000 career yards and currently sits fourth on the CFL’s all-time yards from scrimmage list.
